How to Spend Your Layover at Bali International Airport
Layovers are annoying. This fact is undeniable. Still, they can be much less of a disturbance when spent in a major aviation hub -providing a wide array of services and amenities- such as Bali Airport. So, how long is your layover at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport? If you have just a few hours to spare (4-6-hour layovers), you should explore DPS Airport. Its relatively new international terminal is designed and decorated in total sync with the local architectural style and the Balinese traditions. On the other hand, during a long layover, visiting the exotic Bali is, without a doubt, your best option!
Our Tip: Bali Airport is an overall accessible airport. What’s more, it offers assistance services to all passengers with special needs care (people with disabilities, elders, babies, children (2-6 years old) and unaccompanied kids (6-12 years of age), pregnant women, religious leaders, etc.).
The Top Things to Do at Bali Airport During a Short Layover
To begin with, you should keep in mind that Bali Airport consists of two terminals, one for domestic and one for international flights. The older domestic terminal is clean and modern but offers fewer services and amenities than the international terminal, which is new and greatly inspired by the local traditions of culture and architecture. Still, the two terminals are within close distance, while Festival Plaza -an area filled with eateries and stores- lies right between them. Thus, you can walk your way from one terminal to the other. Still, you’ll have to pass through security and customs, while you may need to issue a Visa as well.
1. Spend your Layover at Bali Airport Shopping
Bali Airport houses several shopping options, landside and airside, at both terminals. Moreover, Duty-free areas are also to be found at DPS Airport. Whether you want to buy souvenirs from Bali or gifts for your loved ones, shop for yourself, or simply content yourself with window shopping, Bali International Airport will certainly live up to your expectations.
2. Drink or Dine During your Layover at Bali Airport
If the shopping options are indeed various, the number of dining alternatives is equally satisfying. From fast-food chains to casual or even (kind of) fancier restaurants and from eateries serving Asian dishes to facilities specializing in international cuisine, you’ll easily pick the ideal option for you, depending on your preferences and cravings. On the other hand, if you want to relish a cup of your favorite beverage or a refreshing drink, you’ll find several bars and cafes scattered around DPS Airport.
3. Exploit the Airport’s Free Wi-Fi
Bali Indonesia Airport offers out-of-charge access to its Wi-Fi network to its passengers. Thus, you can connect to the DPS Wi-Fi and finish the latest work project, check your socials, call your loved ones, or even watch a movie during your layover at Bali Airport. Moreover, you’ll find numerous charging stations around the airport’s terminals, should you need to charge up your devices. Alternatively, there are internet corners at both terminals’ Departures areas with available electronic devices.
4. Are you Traveling with Children?
Airport layovers are even more challenging when traveling with children. Fortunately, Denpasar Bali Airport has all the necessary amenities for families. Nursery rooms are to be found at both terminals, and a playground is located at the Departures area of the domestic terminal.
5. Perform your Religious Duties
Whether you want to perform your religious duties or just relax and find your inner peace in a quiet and spiritual space, Bali Airport houses prayer rooms in both terminals. Thus, no matter the DPS terminal you are landing at (domestic or international), you’ll easily find your way to the small and comfortable spaces.
6. Relax at Denpasar Bali Airport
The airport doesn’t have dedicated sleep zones in either of its terminals. Still, it offers some comfortable sitting options, as some of its areas are equipped with chairs without armrests and recliners. Alternatively, DPS Airport hosts numerous lounge facilities. Even if you aren’t entitled to free lounge access, you can still access them by paying a fee. If you settle on spending your layover at Bali Airport in a lounge area, you’ll be able to relax in a cozy and welcoming space, have a shower, watch TV, or even offer yourself a massage treatment (some of the DPS lounges offer massage services as well).
7. Check in to One of the Nearby Hotels
You won’t find an accommodation option airside inside the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. However, you can pass through security and check in to one of the nearby Bali airport hotels. Novotel Bali Ngurah Rai Airport lies inside the airport complex, within 5-10 minutes on foot from the terminals. Even if you don’t want to book a room (hourly rates are provided, too), you can make use of its top-rated facilities. On the other hand, PassGo Digital Airport Hotel Bali is situated on the second level of the international airport. Still, it lies landside, at the Departures zone. It is a futuristic capsule hotel offering hourly stay packages as well.
Note: The hotel features two outdoor smoking areas, one on the second level of the international terminal and one on the third level of the domestic terminal.
If you decide to leave the airside zone of your terminal, you should keep in kind that waiting lines in the security control, customs, visa, etc. zones can be long, making the relevant procedures time-consuming. Hence, you should plan your layover wisely to have plenty of time to catch your upcoming flight.
A Long Layover at Bali Airport is the Perfect Excuse to Explore the Island
During a long layover at Bali Airport (6-7 hours, as the distances on the island are, in general terms, short, but the traffic jams are notorious), you can leave the airport and get a glimpse of the exotic Bali. Airport taxis and private airport transfers are the most convenient ways to travel from Bali Airport, whereas car rentals are recommended in the case of a really extensive layover. As a matter of fact, if you are keen on renting a car at DPS Airport, you should rent a vehicle with a driver. In that way, you won’t waste time trying to find the exact location of your destination. On the other hand, buses also depart from Denpasar Airport. Still, their services are scarce and unreliable. Consequently, settling on a bus ride during a layover -when you have an onward plane to catch- would be a risky option. Should you decide on your transit method, you’ll have to pick your destination. So, what are the top things to do at Bali?
Our Tip 1: You’ll most probably need a visa to exit I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can apply for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) once you arrive at DPS Airport. Verily, VOA can be granted to citizens from 160 countries.
Our Tip 2: If you need to store your personal items during your layover at Bali Airport, you’ll find luggage storage facilities at the airport.
Bali is All About Beaches
Thus, why don’t you leave the airport and head to one of the nearby beaches? You won’t need, for instance, more than 15 minutes (under normal traffic conditions) to get from Bali Airport to Kuta or 30 minutes to travel from Denpasar Airport to Seminyak Beach. Alternatively, you can also head to Sanur Beach or Jimbaran Bay. No matter your final pick, you’ll enjoy the sun but also the waves! Verily, a surf lesson is a perfect suggestion for adventurous travelers.
The Famous Sacred Monkey Forest
The Monkey Forest is undoubtedly one of the top Bali attractions. The house and play area of macaques is an idyllic location where visitors lose themselves in nature. You’ll come across a pond, an ancient bathing temple, and a jungle swing while ziplining in the beautiful area, dining in one of the local eateries, or relishing a massage can also be part of your adventure. However, please note that the Monkey Forest is located in Ubud, a 75-minute journey from DPS Airport. As a matter of fact, during rush hours, you may need more than 2 hours to travel from Bali Airport to Ubud. Thus, the Monkey Forest is recommended if you have at least a 10-hour layover at the airport.
The Tanah Lot Temple
Lying just 1 hour from Bali Indonesia Airport (2.5 hours away if roads are congested, though), the Tanah Lot Temple is one of the seven ocean temples of the “Island of Gods”, which is Bali. Hence, if you want to embrace the spiritual side of the island, all you’ll have to do is visit the”rocky temple” situated right in the sea. The 16th-century temple isn’t only appreciated for its history and significance. Verily, it also offers stunning ocean views, while visitors who are all about shopping will find a decent variety of local shops nearby.
Are you a Food Lover?
Then a street-food guided tour would be ideal for you. You can delve into Indonesian cuisine, learn all its secrets, and taste all its flavors, from starters and appetizers to main courses and delicious desserts. Seminyak’s Eat Street is the place to be for your culinary experience, and the tours are carbon-neutral as well.
The Kuta-Denpasar-Nusa Dua-Ubud Tour
If you want to visit as many of Bali’s sites and attractions as possible, a guided tour would be an excellent option for you. Thus, during a 3-hour time, you get to travel to 4 of the most popular locations on the island while being given interesting facts and background for each place by your professional guide. Moreover, should you want to skip some parts of the tour or add others, all you’ll have to do is ask. Overall, it is regarded as one of the most efficient ways to get a good taste of Bali.
Alternatively, you can opt for a less packed tour. Hence, you can enjoy a self-guided walking tour around Denpasar or the vibrant Seminyak or even opt for an ATV Quad biking tour around Ubud.
Enjoy a Pirate Dinner Cruise
You can head to Pelabuhan Benoa Denpasar Selatan (a 15-30-minute drive from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport) and participate in a Pirate Dinner Cruise. The cruise lasts around 1.5 hours and, besides food, includes a show as well. Balinese dancers sway to the rhythm of contemporary music, while the cruise features a performance showcasing belly dancing and fire dancing as well. Overall, the pirate-themed cruise is a like-no-other experience in Bali.
How about Rice Terraces Hiking?
Do you like hiking? Then, you’ll definitely adore the rice fields hiking experience. If you are willing to walk and have 3 hours to spare (plus a 30-60-minute traveling time to the pick-up location), you’ll be able to meet the authentic side of Bali, away from the vibrant and loud tourist destinations. The tour will wash all your stress away and offer you an insightful glimpse into the local lifestyle and traditions.
The Kecak and Fire Dance Show
If you have an evening layover, you can head to Uluwatu (40-75 minutes away from DPS Airport) and enjoy a one-of-a-kind show. Performances take place from 05:30 pm to 07:00 pm and last around one hour. Thus, you’ll enjoy one hour of Kecak dances with swirling flames performed by local dancers dressed in traditional costumes. What’s more, the show is held in an actual temple, while if the time is right, you can watch it with the sun setting in its background.